Shows
The ALL NEW Big Wakeup Call with Ryan GatenbyAida SalazarSend us a textAida Salazar chats with Ryan about her new book Ultraviolet.Aida Salazar is an award-winning author and arts activist whose writings for adults and children explore issues of identity and social justice. She is the author of the middle-grade verse novels The Moon Within (International Latino Book Award Winner), Land of the Cranes (Américas Award Winner), the picture book anthology, In the Spirit of a Dream, and the picture book biography Jovita Wore Pants: The Story of a...2024-04-0811 minThe ALL NEW Big Wakeup Call with Ryan GatenbyTiffany JewellSend us a textRyan talks with #1 bestselling author Tiffany Jewell about her latest book, EVERYTHING I LEARNED ABOUT RACISM I LEARNED IN SCHOOL.TIFFANY JEWELL is the Black biracial #1 New York Times bestselling and #1 Indie bestselling author of This Book Is Anti-Racist and The Antiracist Kid. She is a twin sister, first-generation American, cisgender mama, and anti-bias antiracist (ABAR) educator who has been working with children and families for two decades. She lives on the homeland of the Pocumtuc and the Nipmuck with her two young storytellers, husband...2024-03-0411 minThe ALL NEW Big Wakeup Call with Ryan GatenbyRyan MossSend us a textMarch is National Ladder Safety Month, and in this special public service episode, Ryan Moss, President of American Ladder Institute discusses important safety tips for DIYers and home renovators.2024-02-2907 minThe ALL NEW Big Wakeup Call with Ryan GatenbyBob EubanksSend us a textTV legend Bob Eubanks joined the show on June 8, 2021, to talk about the 55th anniversary of The Newlywed Game. We also had a fun chat about how he promoted the Beatles 1964 concert at the Hollywood Bowl, where he got paid more than they did! In fact, Bob promoted Beatles concerts on all three of their U.S. tours!2023-08-1408 minThe ALL NEW Big Wakeup Call with Ryan GatenbyJim GaffiganSend us a textFrom July 2015, legendary comedian and Chicago-area local hero Jim Gaffigan called in for a brief but entertaining chat with me about the debut episode of The Jim Gaffigan Show.2023-08-1105 minThe ALL NEW Big Wakeup Call with Ryan GatenbyDick CavettSend us a textFrom December 11, 2014: Legendary TV host and comedy writer Dick Cavett called in to talk about his memoir, BRIEF ENCOUNTERS: Conversations, Magic Moments, and Assorted Hijinks. We discussed Groucho Marx, Jack Benny, John and Yoko, and many more. At the end of the interview, Dick complimented me on my interviewing style, which is certainly a highlight of my career,ABOUT DICK CAVETTDick Cavett was the host of The Dick Cavett Show on ABC and PBS, and he also hosted talk shows on the USA...2023-08-1008 minThe ALL NEW Big Wakeup Call with Ryan GatenbyJames PattersonSend us a textFrom June 22, 2018, legendary author James Patterson called in to talk about his new novel, The President Is Missing, a collaboration with former president Bill Clinton. Immediately following our show, the book became the #1 best-seller in the nation. While we take no credit, we still think we helped to move a lot of copies.ABOUT JAMES PATTERSONJames Patterson received the Literarian Award for Outstanding Service to the American Literary Community from the National Book Foundation. He holds the Guinness World Record for the most #1 New York T...2023-08-1008 minThe ALL NEW Big Wakeup Call with Ryan GatenbyRick RiordanSend us a textOn this episode, we re-visit my chats with best-selling superstar author Rick Riordan! Rick Riordan, dubbed “storyteller of the gods” by Publishers Weekly, is the author of five #1 New York Times best-selling middle grade series with millions of copies sold throughout the world: Percy Jackson and the Olympians, The Heroes of Olympus, and the Trials of Apollo, based on Greek and Roman mythology; the Kane Chronicles, based on Ancient Egyptian mythology; and Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard, based on Norse mythology. Rick collaborated with illustrator John Rocco on tw...2023-08-0819 minThe ALL NEW Big Wakeup Call with Ryan GatenbyCousin BrucieSend us a textWe once again open the nearly filled to capacity Big Wakeup Call Vault and go back to 2020 for a fun conversation with radio legend Cousin Brucie. Brucie introduced the Beatles and others to America as a DJ on WABC in New York City. Brucie was promoting his new radio show, back at WABC for "Saturday Night Rock & Roll Party ."2023-07-1717 minThe ALL NEW Big Wakeup Call with Ryan GatenbyWilliam ShatnerSend us a textOn this episode, we open the vaults and revisit my 2019 chat with the legendary William Shatner, who was promoting a local screening of "Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan” on the big screen, followed by a live conversation with the one and only “Captain James T. Kirk.” 2023-07-1408 minThe ALL NEW Big Wakeup Call with Ryan GatenbyGaby Dalkin and Paco LomeliSend us a textOn this episode, Gaby Dalkin, NY Times Bestselling Cookbook Author, Chef & Creator of "What’s Gaby Cooking" joined the show to discuss summer grilling. Gaby was also joined by Josh Archibald from Tillamook, who shared some ideas on cheese pairing and more.Then I'm joined by Paco Lomeli, firefighter and paramedic for Station 16 in the Watts neighborhood of Los Angeles. Paco and the station crew are featured on "LA Fire and Rescue," airing on NBC and streaming on Peacock.This episode of The Big Wakeup Call...2023-07-1320 minThe ALL NEW Big Wakeup Call with Ryan GatenbyBill ScheftSend us a textFrom November 7, 2018: Bill Scheft, long-time writer for David Letterman, called in to talk about a new book, The Last Days of Letterman: The Final Six Weeks. Bill wrote the forward for the book, and when I mentioned how unusual it was to have someone on who was not the author of the book but the author of the forward, I got one genuine, hearty laugh. Making a legendary comedy writer laugh is another highlight of my career.The Last Days of Letterman: The Final 6 Weeks by Scott Ryan, a meticulously researched ac...2023-06-3008 minThe ALL NEW Big Wakeup Call with Ryan GatenbyLee Loughnane, Brian Boone, Jean ChatzkySend us a textOn this episode, I visit with Rock and Roll Hall-of-Famer Lee Loughnane, trumpeter and original member of Chicago. The band will be performing live on "A Capitol Fourth," broadcast on PBS at 8:00 Eastern/7:00 Central on July 4th. Brian "Uncle John" Boone has been a contributor to the "Bathroom Reader" series for more than two decades. We chatted about the newest book in the series, "Strange USA."And Jean Chatzky, award-winning journalist and host of the "Everyday Wealth" podcas...2023-06-2829 minThe ALL NEW Big Wakeup Call with Ryan GatenbyDaniel KyriSend us a textActor Daniel Kyri from NBC's "Chicago Fire" joined us to discuss the show (streaming on Peacock), his character, filming and living in Chicago, and his appearance at an event at the Paley Center in NYC where his bunker gear will be on display.2023-06-0613 minThe ALL NEW Big Wakeup Call with Ryan GatenbyDaniel José Older and Shannon DuncanSend us a textDaniel José Older is the award-winning, New York Times best-selling author of works of urban and historical fantasy for adults, young adults, and middle grade readers. In addition to the Outlaw Saints duology, his series include Bone Street Rumba, Dactyl Hill Squad, and The Shadowshaper Cypher, launching with Shadowshaper, which won the International Latino Book Award and was named one of Esquire’s 80 Books Every Person Should Read. He has also written two standalone novels (The Book of Lost Saints and Flood City), three Star Wars novels, and numerous short stories. He...2023-05-1620 minThe ALL NEW Big Wakeup Call with Ryan GatenbyA Community Service Episode: John Lehr and Dan LambeIn a special community service episode, I'm joined by John Lehr, President, and CEO of the Parkinson’s Foundation, as we highlight Parkinson's Awareness Month.Also calling in to the show is Dan Lambe, CEO of the Arbor Day Foundation, who talked about the celebration of Arbor Day and the importance of trees,'2023-04-2619 minThe ALL NEW Big Wakeup Call with Ryan GatenbyBrian Selznick and Gabrielle BourneSend us a textWe are back for a BRAND NEW SEASON! On this episode, I visit with author, illustrator, screenwriter and filmmaker Brian Selznick as we discussed his new book Big Tree, one of the most anticipated books of the year!My second guest, Gabrielle Bourne, is an actress, writer and DIY expert! We discussed her role in the new film Air, and Gabrielle shared some home renovation tips.Thank you for all of your support so we can bring another season of...2023-04-1823 minThe ALL NEW Big Wakeup Call with Ryan GatenbyCrispin BoyerSend us a textPopular author Crispin Boyer joined our 4-Timers Club when he called in to talk about his new book in the "Zeus The Mighty" series from National Geographic Kids, Zeus the Mighty: The Voyage of the Oddest Sea.2023-03-2009 minThe ALL NEW Big Wakeup Call with Ryan GatenbyEmily FegoSend us a textEmily Fego is an assistant editor for the National Geographic Kids Books team. Emily called in for a fun chat about a new book, That's Fact-tastic! Mind-blowing, Eye-popping, Jaw-dropping Stuff About Our World . Along with other fun facts, I learned how we can smell garlic with our feet and had a childhood memory shattered with a revelation about Cookie Monster.2023-03-1710 minThe ALL NEW Big Wakeup Call with Ryan GatenbyDr. Carlos Nunez, Sleep ExpertSend us a textWith everyone seemingly groggy from the time change, I called in a sleep expert, Dr. Carlos Nunez, who joined our 3-Timers club when we discussed healthy sleep habits and how to know if you might suffer from sleep apnea.2023-03-1310 minThe ALL NEW Big Wakeup Call with Ryan GatenbyKurt Braunohler and Scotty LandesSend us a textKurt Braunohler and Scotty Landes joined the show for a lively chat about their popular podcast "Bananas," Kurt's new comedy special "Perfectly Stupid," Scotty's upcoming movie "The Machine" (which you can see the trailer in front of "Cocaine Bear),driving a giant double-sided butt from Los Angeles to New York City to moon the entire country, and more!This episode is brought to you by America's post-pandemic return to the movies. Doesn't it feel good to dump your trash on the floor again?2023-03-0717 minThe ALL NEW Big Wakeup Call with Ryan GatenbyA Visit With Mary Lynn RajskubSend us a textMary Lynn Rajskub joined the show for what turned out to be of my favorite interviews ever! Mary Lynn called in to promote her new book “Fame-Ish: My Life at the Edge of Stardom” (and did a great job at doing so). We discussed the heartbreak of a lack of plus-one, being semi-recognized in public, and drinking at the Golden Globes. Plus: I name-drop Scott Aukerman and Mary Lynn and I get engaged. I think. We’ll ask my wife. Actually, she’ll ask my wife. We’ll work something out.2023-02-2109 minThe ALL NEW Big Wakeup Call with Ryan GatenbyTucker PerkinsSend us a textEvery child deserves a safe, clean, healthy ride to school. While there are diverse energy options that can achieve that goal, not all of them are affordable or available today to provide a better tomorrow for more students.With significant investments being made to clean up the nation’s school bus fleet, like the billions of dollars in funding available through the EPA’s Clean School Bus Program, there’s never been a better time to prioritize clean transportation.Tucker Perkins, President and CEO of the PERC, the Pr...2023-02-1707 minThe ALL NEW Big Wakeup Call with Ryan GatenbyBen Gleib, "The Mad King"Send us a textOne of our favorite guests, Ben Gleib (perhaps a member of our 999,999 club) returned to the show to chat about his new comedy special, "The Mad King," now streaming on YouTube.2023-02-1412 minThe ALL NEW Big Wakeup Call with Ryan GatenbyJudah Friedlander, Paul F. Tompkins, Pete HolmesSend us a textI've been fortunate to interview many of my favorite comedians on the show over the years, and on this Flashback Friday episode, we open The Big Wakeup Call vault for a series of fun and/or entertaining chats!From October 26, 2012: Judah Friedlander called in talk about the latest season of "30 Rock" and a Hot Pockets video he allegedly directed.From October 7, 2015: Paul F. Tompkins joined the show to chat about his stand-up special "Driving and Crying."From May 17, 2019, Pete Holmes...2023-02-0828 min